I think I appreciate them even more because I once worked retail. Almost 7 years working in retail on the weekend should make one grateful for a lot of things. I think everyone should work retail or be in some form of public service for at least one year of their life.
Working retail taught me:
- to keep my frustration in check when something takes longer than I think it should. I remember plenty of times when I was helping one customer, ran to get something for them, and was stopped on my way by another customer who demanded help then and there and wouldn't take, "I'm helping someone else right now, and I can help you next" for an answer.
- the workers don't create the rules. Their job is to obey/enforce the rules even if they don't agree. If there's a legitimate problem, take it to the top.
- to put clothes back from where I got them, re-fold a shirt on a display that I looked at, move a book or CD that's out of alphabetical order into its proper place, etc. Little things like that will help a retail worker who doesn't have time because they're doing three things at once, and it will help another customer who may be looking for a specific size or book or CD when I was the last person to have it.
- to SMILE at the retail worker. Yes - even the seemingly sulky worker who acts like I'm annoying them by getting in their line. Why? Who knows what kind of person they waited on before me? Heaven knows I waited on my fair share of doozeys. I may never see that retail worker again, but I want to leave them knowing that at least one customer appreciates them.
- sitting at home and doing nothing on a weekend is a glorious thing.
